Vocational education and training - VET

The federal government recently announced a significant increase in immigration targets for the next three years – welcoming almost 1.5 million people between 2023-25. The plan aims to address continuing labour shortages and attract newcomers across Canada, including rural communities. It builds on Canada’s well-earned reputation as a nation of immigrants building cohesive communities and driving economic prosperity. This announcement places greater emphasis on the needed skills that will be essential for our economy into the future.

Canada’s innovation economy faces a dual challenge. Firms that want to innovate and grow often struggle to find workers with the right skills and knowledge, while many workers have difficulty finding and participating in education and training initiatives that would help them develop the skills and knowledge they need. Some firms address the challenge by working with training institutions to reskill their current workforce or develop programs to ensure that new hires have relevant skills and knowledge. Yet, too few pursue this strategy. The result is missed opportunities and foregone growth in the innovation economy.

This report and accompanying case studies share insights from three skills for innovation training initiatives which can inform the design and operation of models in Canada. As this briefing and the case studies reveal, well-designed and operated skills for innovation initiatives can improve the skills and well-being of workers and the strength and growth of dynamic regional economic sectors.

En français. Canada. Compétences en matière d'innovation : Études de cas internationaux https://fsc-ccf.ca/fr/recherche/competences-en-matiere-dinnovation/

Universities incorporating Indigenous education, inflated post-secondary grades and student protests are in store

This year, Canada’s colleges and universities will welcome an influx of students from all over the globe—which is one way to inject some young talent into the country’s rapidly aging workforce.

Schools have become battlegrounds: in 2023, more parents will pull out of the public system, universities will face mass protests and grade schools will experience security threats. The upsides? Greater safety measures and new options in distance learning.